Electric coupling.



A. SCHMIDT.

ELECTRIC COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 6. I9I2.

Llo l Patented Dec. 28, M15.

ALBERT SCHMIDT, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO CHAMPION IGNITIONCOMPANY, or FLINT, MICHIGAN,

A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC COUIIIING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec.. 28, ilgil.

Application filed November 6, 1912. Serial No. 729,767.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT SCHMIDT, acitizen of the Republic of France,residing at Flint, in the county of Genesee and State of Michigan, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Couplings, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had therein tothe accompanying drawings.

'lhe invention relates to electric connectors or coupling devices, andconsists in the construction as hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation of the coupling as appliedto a spark plug; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the parts of thecoupling detached; and Fig. 3 is a cross section through Fig. l.

It is the primary object of the invention to obtain a coupling which maybe quickly engaged or disengaged, and one which is simple inconstruction and inexpensive to manufacture.

It is a further object to provide a. device with a renewable springclip, which operates to hold the coperating contacts in engagement, andwhich may be replaced when the tension is lost.

A is the fixed contact member, and B the coperating contact memberattached to the flexible conductor C or other electrical connection. Asshown the contact A is applied to a spark plug and is mounted upon thetop of the insulator D thereof. The engagement betweenthe contacts A andB is preferably effected by providing the one with a pin E and the otherwith an aperture F for engaging said pin, so that the two contacts areheld in registra-tion. To maintain these members in contact thespring-clip G is applied to the one and has a bearing upon the other.This spring-clip is preferably formed of resilient wire, and as shownhas the loop portion I-I for engaging an annular groove I in the contactmember A; while inwardly-bent portions .I prevent accidentaldisengagement from the groove.

K are return-bent portions of the clip with intermediate coils L forimparting the desired resiliency.

Vith the construction as described, the clip G may be snapped inengagement with the groove I of the contact A, and when in position, thereturn-bent arms K will be above the bearing shoulder M of the contact.The ends N of these arms are bent slightly upward so as to permit ofentering the contact member B thereunder; and by slightly twisting thelatter the two contacts may be moved to register the pin E with theaperture F, whereupon the tension of the spring-clip will press saidmembers together. By using a separate spring-clip for holding thecontacts together, a better resilient material-such for instance asspring steelmay be employedthan where the resilient member is integralwith the contact. Furthermore, whenever the tension of the spring islost or in case of breakage, a new clip may be inserted withoutditliculty.

IVhat I claim as my invention is:

1. An electrical coupling comprising a Contact member having an yannulargroove therein, and provided with a flat face, there being a pinprojecting from the flat face, a coperating contact member having a flatface for engaging the face of the first-mentioned member and aperturedto engage the pin thereof, and a resilient clip having a snap-engagementwith the groove of said first-mentioned Contact member and engaging thecooperating contact for yieldably holding the cooperating contact memberin engagement with the first mentioned contact.

2. An electrical coupling comprising a contact member having a groovetherein and provided with a flat face, a cooperating contact memberhaving a flat face for engaging the face of the first-mentioned member,and a resilient clip provided with a portion for yieldably engaging thegroove of the firstmentioned contact member and having return-bentportions for yieldably holding the cooperating contact member in contactwith the first-mentioned member.

3. An electrical coupling comprising a contact member provided with agroove, a coperating contact'member detachably engageable with saidfirst-mentioned Contact member, and a resilient clip independent of saidcontact members and detachably engageable therewith, provided with aportion for yieldably engaging the groove of the first-mentioned Contactmember and having a portion for yieldably holding the coperating contactmember in engagement with said first-mentioned contact member.

t. An electrical coupling comprising a Contact member, having a groovetherein, a coperating contact member detachably engngeable with saidrst-mentioned contactinember, and a spring-clip independent of vsaideoperating Contact member, having a Ysnap-engagemenz with the groove ofsaid independent of said Contact members, yieldably engaging the grooveof .the Erst-mentioned member land yieldably pressing said Contactmembers into engagement with each other.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

ALBERT SCHMIDT.

f Witnesses:

INIAGIBEL BRICKER, FRANK J. UTLEY.

